By Lt. Lauren Chatmas, DESRON 7
SINGAPORE – U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Republic of Singapore Navy partnered in the 26th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise, in international water of the South China Sea and on Changi Naval Base, Singapore, Dec. 9-14.
With over a half century of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Singapore, the two countries continue to work closely together to maintain a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region. CARAT Singapore 2020 underscores a shared commitment toward regional maritime security and stability.
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 11, 2020) A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, flies above the Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Endurance (207), left, Singapore Navy Fast Craft Units, front, the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), back, and U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushions 39 and 79, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, for PHOTOEX during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore. This year marks the 26th iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brendan Mullin)